Dicing element assembly for a food processor

ABSTRACT

A dicing element assembly comprises a dicing element having multiple elements defining multiple openings through which food may pass and a management tool having multiple projections sized to be received by the dicing openings, with at least some of the projections having a coupling element for releasably coupling the dicing elements when the projections are received within the dicing openings. When the projections are received within the dicing openings, the coupling element couples with the dicing element and a user may move the dicing element by moving the management tool without touching the dicing element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/553,325, filed Sep. 3, 2009, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Food processors are used to prepare food items by conducting aprocessing operation, such as slicing, dicing, grating, or shredding, onthe food item. Each processing operation is conducted by a differentprocessing tool, which must be replaced when switching between eachprocessing operation. The processing tool is also switched whendifferent size food items are desired for the same processing operation.Most processing tools have sharp blades or edges that must be accountedfor during handling.

In addition, handling the processing tools can be difficult to do in asanitary manner because it is difficult to handle the processing toolwithout touching the parts of the processing tool that come into contactwith the food item. When the food processing operation is complete, somefood may remain within parts of the processing tool. This food may bedifficult to remove during a normal washing procedure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A dicing element assembly comprises a dicing element having multipleelements defining multiple openings through which food may pass and amanagement tool having multiple projections sized to be received by thedicing openings, with at least some of the projections having a couplingelement for releasably coupling the dicing elements when the projectionsare received within the dicing openings. When the projections arereceived within the dicing openings, the coupling element couples withthe dicing element and a user may move the dicing element by moving themanagement tool without touching the dicing element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food processor according to a firstembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the food processor of FIG. 1 illustratinga food processing path through the food processor and its relationshipwith a cutting tool and dicing tool.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the food processor of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the dicing tool of the food processor ofFIG. 1 and a first and second management tool according to a secondembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5A is a top-down perspective view of the first management tool ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 5B is a bottom perspective view of the first management tool ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 6A is a top-down perspective view of the second management tool ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 6B is a bottom perspective view of the second management tool ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an assembled dicing element and firstand second management tools according to the third embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 8 is perspective view illustrating the use of a management tool toassemble a dicing tool according to a fourth embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the use of a management toolto disassemble a dicing tool according to the fourth embodiment of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a food processor 10according to one embodiment of the invention. The food processor 10shares many features of a conventional food processor, which will not bedescribed in detail herein except as necessary for a completeunderstanding of the invention. The food processor 10 includes a base 12of the food processor 10. The base 12 may include a motor 14 (FIG. 2)having an output shaft 16. A receptacle or a bowl 18 for receiving theprocessed food, usually made of transparent plastic is supported on thebase. The bowl 18 terminates in an open top defined by a lip 19.

A removable lid 22 may be removably received on the bowl 18. Thus, thebowl 18 may be closed by the lid 22, which may be removably secured tothe bowl 18 by a snap-fit, a twist-lock arrangement, or any othersuitable means of attachment. The bowl 18 and lid 22 may collectivelyform a food processing chamber. A feed tube 24 extends upwardly from thelid 22. A food pusher 28 may be sized to slide through the feed tube 24and may be used to push food items through the feed tube 24. A stop, inthe form of a flange 30, is provided on the food pusher 28 to limit theinsertion of the food pusher 28 into the feed tube 24. The bowl 18 andlid 22 are illustrated as being transparent, but they need not be.

The bowl 18, lid 22, and feed tube 24 may be collectively referred to asa housing into which the food is introduced and processed. It is alsopossible for the base 12 to be a part of the housing. However, in theillustrated embodiment, the housing is supported by the base 12.

A cutting tool 20 and dicing tool 40 may be located within the housing.As illustrated, the cutting tool 20 is supported on the output shaft 16and the dicing tool 40 is supported by the bowl 18, such as bypress-fitting into the open top of the bowl 18. For the purposes of thisdescription, the term “dicing” is used to refer to any process in whichfood is cut or divided into multiple components. Non-limiting examplesincluding cutting the food into cubes, long, thin strips (also known asjulienne) or any other polyhedral or cylindrical shape. The food can becut by the dicing tool 40 in combination with the cutting tool 20 suchthat the cut food has the same dimension along all three x, y and zaxes, such as when food is cubed. Alternatively, the food can be cut bythe dicing tool 40 and cutting tool 20 such that at least one of thedimensions is different from the other two dimensions, such as may bedesirable when making French fries, for example, where the food isprocessed into square-shaped strips.

Referring to FIG. 2, a food processing path 26, illustrated by thespaced, dashed line, extends through the housing. The feed tube 24 formsan inlet to and part of the food processing path 26. In this case, thelid 22 and feed tube 24 act as a food guide or a food chute configuredto receive food for processing. The food processing path 26 extends fromthe feed tube 24 through the cutting tool 20 and a portion of the dicingtool 40. The food processing path 26 ends when the processed food isdeposited in the bowl 18.

A control system may be provided for controlling the operation of thefood processor 10. The control system as illustrated includes acontroller 32, which is electrically coupled through a user interfacelead 34 to a user interface or control panel 36. The control panel 36may be provided on the base 12 and may include operational controls suchas dials, lights, switches, and displays enabling a user to control theoperation of the food processor 10. The motor 14 may be electricallycoupled through a control lead 38 to the controller 32. The foodprocessor 10 may be preprogrammed with a number of different foodprocessing options from which a user may select a food processing optionto process a food item.

With reference to FIG. 3, the different elements of the food processor10 will be described in greater detail. A drive shaft 41 extends fromthe base 12. The drive shaft 41 is operably coupled with the motor 14,and may be used to provide rotational movement to the output shaft 16that extends into the food processing chamber formed by the bowl 18 andthe lid 22.

A handle 42 is provided on the bowl 18 so that a user may more easilymaneuver the bowl 18. A guide 43 projects into the bowl 18, within whichthe output shaft 16 is received. The bowl 18 may be secured onto thebase 12 and around the output shaft 16 by a snap-fit, a twist lockarrangement, or any other suitable means of attachment. The bowl 18 mayfurther be provided with a plurality of keyways 47 in the lip 19 of thebowl 18.

The cutting tool 20 is illustrated as being a rotatable cutting dischaving a planar portion 50. A cutting blade 52 is provided above theplanar portion 50 and acts to cut food as the cutting tool 20 is rotatedthrough the food processing path 26. A ramp portion 54 slopes from thecutting blade 52 to the planar portion 50. The ramp portion 54 acts topush the cut food through the dicing tool 40 after it has been cut bythe cutting tool 20. The cutting tool 20 and cutting blade 52 may bemade of metal or any other suitable material. Other cutting tools,especially non-disc-shaped cutting tools may be used.

The cutting tool 20 may be operably coupled to the output shaft 16 abovethe dicing tool 40 by a hub 56 that is complementarily keyed to matewith an upper end 58 of the output shaft 16 such that rotation of theoutput shaft 16 will rotate the cutting tool 20. The cutting tool 20 isselectively moveable through the food processing path 26 and the cuttingblade 52 acts to cut food as it passes through the food processing path26.

The dicing tool 40 may include a frame 60 having keys 62 and first andsecond dicing elements 66, 68 that may be removably carried by the frame60. The frame 60 is a ring frame having keys 62 that locate the dicingtool 40 within the bowl 18. The keys 62 may be received by the keyways47 in the lip 19 of the bowl 18 for securing the frame 60 to the bowl18. The frame 60 may include a first compartment 70 and a secondcompartment 72. A central portion 73 capable of receiving the outputshaft 16 may be formed in the center of the frame 60 between the firstand second compartments 70, 72. It is contemplated that the dicing tool40 may have more than two dicing elements. Each dicing element willtypically have different processing functionality.

The output shaft 16 may go through the central portion 73 of the dicingtool 40 and the dicing tool 40 may be received within the lip 19 of thebowl 18. The keys 62, and corresponding keyways 47 on the bowl 18,locate the dicing tool 40 within the bowl 18. More specifically, atleast a portion of the frame 60 is press-fit against the lip 19.Alternatively, the dicing tool 40 may be mounted to the lid 22.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the dicing tool 40 is described in detail incombination with management tools 106 and 108. Each of the first andsecond dicing elements 66 and 68 may include a housing 78 having afirst, generally arcuate outer portion 80 and a second, generallystraight inner portion 82 between which intersecting cutting elements 74defining openings 76 extend. As illustrated, the first dicing element 66may have larger openings 76 so as to have a processing capability ofcubing a food item. The second dicing element 68 may have smalleropenings 76 than the first dicing element 66 for finely dicing a fooditem. The openings 76 may be of any regular or irregular shape includingcircular or oval. The openings 76 of the first dicing elements 66 mayhave the same or different size and shape as those of the second dicingelement 68. It is also within the scope of the invention for theopenings 76 to be defined by non-intersecting, parallel cutting elementssuch that the food item is sliced as it passes through the first orsecond dicing elements 66 and 68. The cutting elements 74 may be made ofmetal or any material suitable for processing food. The cutting elements74 may be sharp or have one or more sharpened edges for facilitatingprocessing food.

The first and second dicing elements 66 and 68 may have a similarprocessing capability or different processing capabilities. For example,both the first and second dicing elements 66, 68 may have intersectingcutting elements such that the food is processed into different cubesizes. In another example, the first dicing element 66 may haveintersecting cutting elements for processing the food into cubes whilethe second dicing element 68 has non-intersecting cutting elements forprocessing the food into slices or strips.

The first and second compartments 70 and 72 may be defined by aperipheral wall 84 of the frame 60 and a generally centrally locatedinterior wall 86. The interior wall 86 may span the diameter of the ringshaped frame 60, interrupted generally at a center of the frame 60 bythe central portion 73. The frame 60 may further comprise a ledge 88extending from the peripheral wall 84 and the interior wall 86 partiallyinto the first compartment 70 such that an opening to the firstcompartment 70 on a first side 90 of the frame 60 is larger than anopening to the first compartment 70 on a second side 92. In this manner,during a food processing operation, food in the food processing path maypass from the feed tube 24 through the cutting tool 20 and the firstcompartment 70 of the dicing tool 40 and into the bowl 18. The secondcompartment 72 may have a barrier wall 94 extending between theperipheral wall 84 and the interior wall 86, blocking access to thesecond compartment 72 from the first side 90 of the frame 60.

The second compartment 72 is not part of the food processing path 26 andtherefore does not need to be open such that food may pass through.However, it is within the scope of the invention for the barrier wall 94to only partially obstruct access to the second compartment 72. Thebarrier wall 94 may serve as an indicator to a user that the secondcompartment 72 is not part of the food processing path 26. Analternative method for indicating that the second compartment 72 is notpart of the food processing path may include limiting the manner inwhich the frame 60 may be placed on the bowl 18, by varying the numberand/or location of the keys 62 and keyways 47 such that when the frame60 is coupled with the bowl 18 only the first compartment 70 is in thefood processing path 26.

The peripheral wall 84 may include a first aperture 96 in both the firstand second compartments 70, 72 for receiving a resilient detent 98located on the outer portion 80 of the housing 78 when the first andsecond dicing elements 66, 68 are placed in the first and secondcompartments 70, 72. The interior wall 86 may also include a pair ofsecond apertures 100 for receiving a pair of retaining lugs 102projecting from the inner portion 82 of the dicing element housing 78when the first and second dicing elements 66, 68 are placed in the firstand second compartments 70, 72. As can best be seen in FIG. 7, theinterior wall 86 may also include a pair of retaining tabs 104projecting from a bottom edge of the interior wall 86 partially into thesecond compartment 72 for securing either the first or second dicingelement 66, 68 when it is placed in the second compartment 72.

Referring still to FIG. 4, the first and second dicing elements 66 and68 may further be provided with first and second management tools 106and 108, respectively. The first and second management tools 106 and 108may be used to remove food remaining within the dicing openings after afood processing operation and to facilitate handling of the dicingelements 66 and 68.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the first management tool 106 has apair of handles 110 in the form of a pair of fingers projecting from afirst face 112 of the first management tool 106 and a plurality ofprojections 114 extending from a second face 116. The handles 110 may bespaced apart on the first face 112 such that a user can grasp thehandles 110 with one hand for handling the first management tool 106.While the handles 110 are illustrated as projecting fingers, anysuitable type of handle may be used without deviating from the scope ofthe invention. For example, the handles 110 may be in the form of one ormore hooks or loops.

The projections 114 may be sized so as to be received within the dicingopenings 76 of the first dicing element 66 for removing food that mayremain within the dicing openings 76 after a food processing operation.The projections 114 may have a length equal to or greater than a depthof the cutting elements 74 which define the dicing openings 76, althoughit is also within the scope of the invention for the projections 114 toextend only partially through the dicing openings 76. While some of theprojections 114 are illustrated as having an X-shaped cross-section, theprojections 114 may have any shape and size suitable for being receivedwithin the dicing openings 76. The projections 114 may all have the samesize and shape. Alternatively, the size and shape of the projections 114may vary depending on their location on the management tool 106.

Some of the projections 114 extending around at least a portion of theperiphery of the first management tool 106 may have a U-shapedcross-section wherein at least one of the legs of the U-shapedprojections is in the form of a resilient coupling element 118. Thecoupling element 118 may include a finger 120, for engaging the housing78 of the first dicing element 66 when the first management tool 106 iscoupled with the first dicing element 66. The coupling elements 118 maybe resilient such that they are depressed from an initial, extendedposition as the finger 120 passes into and through the dicing openings76 and then snap back to the extended position when the finger 120 exitsthe dicing openings 76. When the first management tool 106 is coupledwith the first dicing element 66, the finger 120 engages the housing 78when the coupling elements 118 are in their extended position (FIG. 7).Adjacent coupling elements 118 may be connected by a tab 122 extendingat least partially above the first face 112 for selectively andsimultaneously flexing the coupling elements 118 during insertion and/orremoval of the first management tool 106. Flexing the coupling elements118 facilitates moving the finger 120 from a position in which it isengaging the housing 78 when the first management tool 106 and firstdicing element 66 are coupled to a position in which the finger 120 isno longer engaging the housing 78 for removal of the first managementtool 106. In this manner, the coupling elements 118 removably couple thefirst management tool 106 to the first dicing element 66 such that thefirst dicing element 66 may be handled through the first management tool106.

While the first management tool 106 is illustrated as having a pluralityof projections 114 comprising a coupling element 118 for resilientlycoupling the first management tool 106 with the first dicing element 66through a snap-fit connection, the projections 114 may also couple thefirst management tool 106 with the first dicing element 66 through apress-fit connection in which the projections 114 are press-fit into thedicing openings 76. In this case, the coupling element 118 may be in theform of a resilient material and project from one or more projections114 such that the overall dimension of the projection 114 is slightlylarger than the dimensions of the dicing openings 76. Alternatively, atleast some of the projections 114 may be made entirely of a resilientmaterial and have dimensions larger than the dicing openings 76 forpress-fitting with the dicing openings 76. In another example, all ofthe projections 114 of the first management tool 106 may couple with thefirst dicing element 66 through a press-fit connection.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the second management tool 108 issimilar to the first management tool 106 and includes a pair of handles124 in the form of a pair of fingers projecting from a first face 126 ofthe second management tool 108 for grasping by a user during handling ofthe second management tool 108. The second management tool 108 may alsoinclude a plurality of projections 128 extending from a second face 130of the second management tool 106 for removing food that may remainwithin the dicing openings 76 after processing food. As discussed abovewith reference to the first management tool 106, the projections 128 mayhave any suitable size and shape so as to be received by the dicingopenings 76 when the second management tool 108 is coupled with thesecond dicing element 68. As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, some of theprojections 128 of the second management tool 108 have a generallycircular cross-section.

Some of the projections 128 extending around at least a portion of theperiphery of the second management tool 108 may be in the form of aresilient coupling element 132. The coupling elements 132 may include afinger 134 for engaging the housing 78 of the second dicing element 68when the second management tool 108 is coupled with the second dicingelement 68. The second management tool 108 may be coupled with thesecond dicing element 68 through a snap-fit connection with the couplingelement 132 having the finger 134. Alternatively, similar to the firstmanagement tool 106, the second management tool 108 may be coupled withthe second dicing element 68 through a press-fit connection.

While the first and second management tools 106 and 108 are described ashaving coupling elements 118 and 132, respectively, for coupling withthe first and second dicing elements 66 and 68, other methods forcoupling may also be used without deviating from the scope of theinvention. For example, a dicing element may have a housing partiallyextending above the cutting elements which defines an area in which amanagement tool may be press-fit. In another example, a dicing elementmay have one or more latches that may be selectively coupled with anupper face of a management tool to releasably couple the management tooland the dicing element.

The projections 114 and 128 of the first and second management tools106, 108 may be made from any suitable rigid, semi-rigid or resilientmaterial. For example, the projections 114 and 128 may be made from arigid dishwasher-safe polymeric material for pushing food out of thedicing openings 76. In another example, the projections 114 and 128 maybe made entirely of a resilient dishwasher-safe material such as aresilient polymer. In yet another example, the projections 114 and 128may include a core structure made from a rigid material and an exteriorportion comprising a resilient or flexible material such as a series ofbrush bristles or flexible flaps. The coupling elements 118 and 132 maybe made from the same material as the projections 114 and 128 or adifferent material. For example, the projections 114 and 128 may be madefrom a rigid plastic while the coupling elements 118, 132 are made froma resilient polymer. In yet another example, the coupling elements 118,132 may be coupled with a rigid projection through a living hinge.

While the invention has been described in the context of a first andsecond management tool 106 and 108 for use with the first and seconddicing elements 66, 68, respectively, it is within the scope of theinvention for a single, interchangeable management tool to be used thatcan be removably coupled with multiple dicing elements 66, 68. It isalso within the scope of the invention for the second management tool108 to be identical to the first management tool 106, varying only inthe size and shape of the projections 114, 128. Similarly, it is withinthe scope of the invention for the first management tool 106 to beidentical to the second management tool 108, varying only in the sizeand shape of the projections 114, 128.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the dicing tool 40 comprising the first andsecond dicing elements 66 and 68 and the first and second managementtools 106 and 108 may be coupled together as a single unit for storage,handling and cleaning of the first and second dicing elements 66 and 68.Both the first and second management tool 106 and 108 may be coupledwith the first and second dicing elements 66 and 68, respectively,regardless of which of the first and second compartments 70, 72 thedicing elements 66 and 68 are located.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a method for assembling the dicing tool 40 fora food processing operation with the food processor 10 will now bedescribed. Once the dicing element 40 is assembled, a food processingoperation may be completed with the food processor 10. Prior to usingthe dicing tool 40 with the food processor 10, the user places thedesired dicing element, in this case the first dicing element 66, in thefirst compartment 70 of the frame 60. The user may place differentdicing elements in the first compartment 70, the compartment which isplaced within the food processing path 26, depending on the desired foodprocessing operation. While the method is described in the context ofusing the first dicing element 66 in a food processing operation, itwill be understood that the second dicing element 68 may be used in asimilar manner.

The first management tool 106 may be coupled with the first dicingelement 66 such that a user may handle the first dicing element 66through the first management tool 106, minimizing the user's contactwith the cutting elements 74. This facilitates safe and sanitaryhandling of the first dicing element 66. The first management tool 106may be coupled with the first dicing element 66 by aligning theprojections 114 with the dicing openings 76 and pressing the projections114 into the dicing openings 76 until the fingers 120 on the couplingelements 118 engage the housing 78.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, a user 140 may grasp the first management tool106, which is coupled with the first dicing element 66, by the handles110 and place the inner portion 82 of the housing 78 of the first dicingelement 66 in the first compartment 70, such that the retaining lugs 102are received within the second apertures 100 in the interior wall 86.The user 140 may then press the outer portion 80 of the housing 78downwards in the direction indicated by arrow 142 until the detent 98 ofthe first dicing element 66 snaps into the first aperture 96 on theframe 60. When assembled, the first dicing element 68 is supportedwithin the first compartment 70 by the ledge 88 extending partially intothe first compartment 70 (FIG. 7). In this manner, the user 140 mayremovably secure the first dicing element 66 within the firstcompartment 70 without contacting the cutting elements 74. It is alsowithin the scope of the invention for the first dicing element 66 to beassembled with the frame 60 through a press-fit connection.

Prior to starting a food processing operation, the first management tool106 may be removed by grasping the handles 110 and pulling the firstmanagement tool 106 in a direction upwards and away from the firstdicing element 66 such that fingers teeth 120 of the coupling elements118 disengage the housing 78. In the case of the first dicing element66, this may be facilitated by pressing the tab 122 to disengage thefingers 120.

The assembled dicing tool 40 may then be placed within the lip 19 of thebowl 18 by placing it over the upper end 58 of the output shaft 16 suchthat the keys 62 on the frame 60 mate with a plurality of keyways 47 inthe lip 19.

Alternatively, the first dicing element 66 may be placed in the firstcompartment 70 after the frame 60 is placed within the lip 19 and thefirst management tool 106 may then be removed.

Once the dicing tool 40 is placed within the lip 19, the user may thenplace the cutting tool 20 on the upper end 58 of the output shaft 16.The user may then position the lid 22 on the bowl 18 and deliver foodthrough the feed tube 24 into the bowl 18. The user may then activatethe motor 14 causing the drive shaft 41, output shaft 16, and cuttingtool 20 to rotate. The food may be pushed down to the cutting tool 20using the food pusher 28 where the food then contacts the cutting blade52, at which point it is sliced and then it is pushed by the rampportion 54 through the portion of the dicing tool 40 within the foodprocessing path 26 and into the bowl 18. Depending on which of the firstand second dicing elements 66 and 68 are in the first compartment 72,which is aligned with the food processing path 26, the dicing tool 40may yield cubed or diced or cubed bits of food.

During the food processing operation with the first dicing element 66 asdescribed above, the second dicing element 68 may be stored in thesecond compartment 72 along with the second management tool 108. In thismanner, the dicing tool 40 may be used with minimal disassembly of theassembled dicing tool 40 and first and second management tools 106 and108 illustrated in FIG. 7. This facilitates ease of use for the user andminimizes opportunities for the dicing elements and/or management toolsto get lost or misplaced.

When the food processing operation is complete, the first managementtool 106 may again be coupled with the first dicing element 66 to removefood remaining within the dicing openings 76. As the first managementtool 106 is coupled with the first dicing element 66, the projections114 push any food remaining in the dicing openings 76 through the dicingopenings 76. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the projections 114 are slightlylonger than the depth of the dicing openings 76 such that when the firstmanagement tool 106 and the first dicing element 66 are coupled, theprojections 114 extend past the edges of the cutting elements 74,effectively pushing food out of the dicing openings 76 and away from thecutting elements 74.

If the user desires to use the second dicing element 68 in a foodprocessing operation, the location of the first and second dicingelements 66 and 68 may be switched by placing the first dicing element66 in the second compartment 72 and the second dicing element 68 in thefirst compartment 70, which is part of the food processing path 26. Asillustrated in FIG. 9, to remove the dicing element 66 from the firstcompartment 70, the user 140 may grasp the housing 78 of the firstdicing element 66 near the central opening 73, depress the detent 98 andlift the first dicing element 66 away from the first compartment 70 asillustrated by the arrow 144. The second dicing element 68 may beremoved from the second compartment 72 in a similar manner and thenplaced in the first compartment 70 for use in a food processingoperation in a manner similar to that described above for the firstdicing element 66. The first dicing element 66 may be placed in thesecond compartment 72 for storage during a food processing operationwith the second dicing element 68.

The first and second dicing elements 66, 68 may be removed from thefirst and second compartments 70, 72 while the first and secondmanagement tools 106, 108 are coupled with the first and second dicingelements 66, 68, respectively, as described above. However, the firstand second management tools 106, 108 do not necessarily need to becoupled with the first and second dicing elements 66, 68 when removingthem from the first and second compartments 70, 72.

After the completion of a food processing operation and subsequentcleaning of the first and/or second dicing elements 66, 68 used in theoperation, the dicing tool 40 and first and second management tools 106and 108 may be assembled as illustrated in FIG. 7 and placed in storageuntil the next food processing operation.

While the first and second management tools 106 and 108 are described asfacilitating cleaning and handling of the first and second dicingelements 66 and 68, it is also within the scope of the invention for thefirst and second management tools 106 and 108 to only facilitate eithercleaning or handling. For example, the first and second management tools106 and 108 may only include projections 114, 128 having the couplingelements 118, 132 around the periphery of the management tools 106, 108for removably coupling with the first and second dicing elements 66 and68 for handling and switching the dicing elements 66, 68 between thefirst and second compartments 70, 72. Alternatively, the first andsecond management tools 106 and 108 may only include projections 114,128 without the coupling elements 118, 132 for removing food remainingin the dicing openings 76 following a food processing operation, whichdo not couple with the first and second dicing elements 66 and 68 suchthat the management tools 106, 108 are not used to handle the dicingelements 66, 68.

While the invention has been specifically described in connection withcertain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that thisis by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variationand modification are possible within the scope of the forgoingdisclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of theinvention that is defined in the appended claims.

1. A dicing element assembly, comprising: a dicing element havingmultiple elements defining multiple dicing openings through which foodmay pass; and a management tool having multiple projections sized to bereceived by the dicing openings, with at least some of the projectionshaving a resilient projection for releasably coupling the managementtool to the dicing element when the projections are received within thedicing openings; wherein when the projections are received within thedicing openings, the resilient projection couples with the dicingelement and a user may move the dicing element by moving the managementtool without touching the dicing element.
 2. The dicing element assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the management tool comprises a handle tobe grasped by a human hand to move the management tool to insert andremove the resilient projection from the dicing openings.
 3. The dicingelement assembly according to claim 2, wherein the handle is located ona side of the management tool opposite the resilient projection.
 4. Thedicing element assembly according to claim 2, wherein the handlecomprises spaced fingers projecting from the management tool.
 5. Thedicing element assembly according to claim 2, further comprising atleast one handle extending from a side of the management tool oppositethe projections for facilitating handling of the management tool.
 6. Thedicing element assembly according to claim 1, wherein the projectionsare sized to extend at least the length of the dicing openings such thatfood remaining in the dicing openings is pushed out of the dicingopenings when the management tool is coupled with the dicing element. 7.The dicing element assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elementsdefining the multiple dicing openings have at least one sharp edge. 8.The dicing element assembly according to claim 1, wherein the resilientprojection is press-fit into the dicing opening.
 9. The dicing elementassembly according to claim 1, wherein the resilient projection solelycouples the management tool to the dicing element.
 10. The dicingelement assembly according to claim 9, wherein the dicing elementcomprises a housing supporting the multiple elements defining the dicingopenings.
 11. The dicing element assembly according to claim 10, whereinthe resilient projection comprises a finger that releasably engages thehousing.
 12. The dicing element assembly according to claim 11, furthercomprising an extension coupling adjacent resilient projectionsextending towards a side of the management tool opposite a side havingthe projections for selectively flexing the resilient projections. 13.The dicing element assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least someof the projections having the resilient projection are located on aperiphery of the management tool.
 14. A dicing element assembly,comprising: a dicing element having multiple elements defining multipledicing openings through which food may pass; and a management toolhaving multiple projections sized to be received by the dicing openings,with at least some of the projections having a resilient couplingelement sized to be press-fit within a dicing opening for releasablycoupling the management tool to the dicing element when the resilientcoupling element is press-fit within the dicing openings; wherein whenthe projections are received within the dicing openings, the resilientcoupling element couples with the dicing element and a user may move thedicing element by moving the management tool without touching the dicingelement.
 15. The dicing element assembly according to claim 14, whereinthe management tool comprises a handle to be grasped by a human hand tomove the management tool to insert and remove the resilient couplingelement from the dicing openings, the handle is located on a side of themanagement tool opposite the resilient coupling element, and wherein thehandle comprises spaced fingers projecting from the management tool. 16.The dicing element assembly according to claim 15, further comprising atleast one handle extending from a side of the management tool oppositethe projections for facilitating handling of the management tool. 17.The dicing element assembly according to claim 14, wherein theprojections are sized to extend at least the length of the dicingopenings such that food remaining in the dicing openings is pushed outof the dicing openings when the management tool is coupled with thedicing element.
 18. The dicing element assembly according to claim 14,wherein the elements defining the multiple dicing openings have at leastone sharp edge.
 19. A method of processing food, comprising: providing adicing element having multiple elements; configuring multiple dicingopenings in the dicing element through which food may pass; configuringa management tool with at least one resilient projection; and couplingthe management tool to the dicing element, wherein the resilientprojections are releasably received in the dicing openings; and whereinwhen the projections are received within the dicing openings, theresilient projection couples with the dicing element and a user may movethe dicing element by moving the management tool without touching thedicing element.
 20. The method of processing food according to claim 19,wherein the projections are sized to extend at least the length of thedicing openings such that food remaining in the dicing openings ispushed out of the dicing openings when the management tool is coupledwith the dicing element.